“In those meetings we were able to have some very productive conversations with our trading partners, and with other sub-national governments, on the topics of methane; air quality standards; renewable fuel standards; renewables; technology and technology transfer; and sharing and market opportunities around renewables — smart grid as I said.”

Speaking on a conference call from Mexico, Phillips said the province also learned quite a bit about initiatives going on around the world on carbon pricing, along with climate financing and climate adaptation. She said she also met with representatives of Jalisco, to renew Alberta’s forest firefighting agreement with the Mexican state.

Phillips added that regardless of what happens at the federal level, Alberta is moving ahead with a coal-fired phase out, and will be getting advice on how to do so sometime early this fall.

“Our focus there is to just share with them what we are doing, and ensure that whatever does come out — once the federal government is ready to announce; which they are not quite yet — that it works for Alberta.” (td)